Editor's note: This post is part of the Overheard on CNN.com series, a regular feature that examines interesting comments and thought-provoking conversations posted by the community.

You've probably seen those highway adoption signs emblazoned with the names of various local organizations. A North Georgia chapter of the Ku Klux Klan wants to adopt a one-mile stretch of Georgia State Route 515. The group is applying to receive state recognition for cleaning up litter in the Appalachian Mountains near the North Carolina border. The Georgia DOT is considering the matter, as are many of our readers.

Techsupp0rt: "Agreeing with the KKK kinda leaves me feeling a bit dirty. They've got a point. If other racist organizations can do it, they should be able to as well. Treat all racists equally. You do gotta pick up the trash though."

This person would beg to differ.

Clabdurch:
"Dear KKK,
Thank your for your inquiry, but no, you KKKan't have it.
Signed,
The Southerners that are not proud of you."

Some of our readers got ideas.

agentxyz: "At least I'll know where to dump my trash"

Is the move legit?

sunlight99: "If the KKK wants to keep an area of road clean they just need to pick a spot and do it quietly as private citizens else people will drive for hundreds of miles to throw trash on the official KKK clean-up road. I can see the cars backed up for miles (with all sorts of state plates) as people shovel trash out of cars and trailers. They might even have to divide it into sections ... used cat litter goes here, piles of dog poop go there, dirty diapers down the road about 10 feet."

chuckrita: "They are just wanting to see their names on the adoption sign. It's a head game that seems to give them an ounce of legitimacy for all of the public to see. You would think that these people would start by cleaning up their front porches, removing old cars from their front yard and selling the giant stash of beer cans collected in the back yard."

Coastal0ne: "Exactly what I was thinking. People would make a point to trash that area of highway."

What about other groups that could pick up trash?

kendallpeak: "It would be nice if the government would require able-bodied welfare recipients to pick up the trash in order to receive welfare."

The following reader talked about a past incident - referenced in the story - involving the KKK in Missouri.

ktrav: "The KKK tried this in Missouri. There is nothing legal to stop them so they got their section of highway. In response, Missouri re-named that stretch of road 'The Rosa Parks Memorial Highway.' No more KKK. Simple but clever solution."

Many suggestions came in.

Wisewoodchuk: "They should give them a stretch of MLK Boulevard."

Another reader said the controversy smacks of hypocrisy.

chuckrita: "This is hilarious. They are offended by trash, 'that ain't right,' but are wholly down for racism, discrimination, stereotyping and brow beating."

Others talked about the different kinds of groups out there.

gdaym8: "I don't agree with the KKK, at all. But if they can have an NAACP they can have a KKK."

Aucausin: "The NAACP never lynched anybody. Any group that has ever participated in violent acts that were completely condoned by the organization should never be recognized by the government as anything but a terror threat."

DCCommuter:"The NAACP is not an all black group. It was founded to further integration and its members never went around at night setting fires and killing people. People who hate the NAACP hate the words they use, people who hate the KKK hate the murders, lynchings, church bombings and fires they set and inflicted."

Some said fair is fair.

lacertosus:"They have every right to adopt a highway. One's disagreement for what they stand for is not a factor."

David Railfan:"Actually, it IS a factor. The rules clearly state 'Any civic-minded organization ... is welcome to volunteer in the Georgia Adopt-A-Highway program.' The KKK, Black Panthers, etc., are NOT civic-minded. They are racist terrorist groups that need to be shut down and disbanded."

Maybe something else needs a wash.

psgmichigan: "Maybe they could start by cleaning the 'trash' from their hearts. The state of Georgia should not recognize a group such as this. Georgia has enough problems with diversity as it is."

Why shouldn't the KKK value the white race? One reader referred to a quotation from April Chambers, chapter secretary, who said, "We're not racists. We just want to be with white people. If that's a crime, then I don't know. It's all right to be black and Latino and proud, but you can't be white and proud. I don't understand it."

chef: "She has a point about white pride. The gays can have it, blacks can have it, Hispanics can have it (and I have no problem with that) but as soon as white people want to keep to their own it's racism. If you are white tell me when was the last time you were invited to one of their parties? Or to go to church with them? Or to go to their daughter's wedding? Or just to hang out. Any white people out there invited to join a black fraternity or sorority? We say you can't have it both ways, but they sure as hell do!"

This reader doesn't want to see any of it.

David Railfan: "I live and work in Blue Ridge, Georgia, right off Highway 515. I don't want to see 'adopted by the KKK' when I drive to work. If I do see this I will pull down every sign I see, and if I see them out there cleaning up I will throw trash at them. The KKK ARE nothing more than WHITE TRASH. They are ONLY doing this because more Latinos and African-Americans are starting to move into the area. So my message to the KKK is this. GROW UP and stop being A-holes! This is NOT your private world. We ALL live here. Don't like it? Go jump off a bridge."

DawgsFan: "Please read your comment and apply the same thought process as the last four sentences. Are their views wrong? If based on the historical heritage of the Klan, then yes. If they have 'evolved' into a whites rights group then so be it. As for taking down all the signs, that would be a misdemeanor offense punishable by jail time. I don't think it's worth the risk."

Another said the whole story is ironic.

NBG10: "There's a beautifully ironic scene here that you guys are missing, and best of all, it would be a poignant lesson for parents of families with young children who are driving by the road to teach their young children. Finally, a group of white-trash-spewing men picking up trash! The littered trash they pick up will be just like the trash that spews from their filthy mouths!"

What's your take? Have you ever adopted a highway? Share your opinion in the comments area below and in the latest stories on CNN.com. Or sound off on video via CNN iReport.

soundoff(89 Responses)

Wow...the KKK the symbol for racism at its worst. Full of ignorance and hate for those not just like them....They clearly don't deserve attention but I say let the trash take out the trash..down into the little dark holes they live in.

the ACLU helped RUSH LIMBAUGH keep his medical records from being disclosed to the public because he is a prescription drug addict, intelligent people were mad at the ACLU for protecting LIMBAUGH. most of us may not back the KKK however if the ACLU is going to help out LIMBAUGH why not let them help the KKK.

I am a black man and if the KKK want to adopt an highway why can't they? this is america just because they are full of hate does not mean we have to show the same hatred. freedom of speech is what built this country.there is enough hate in the world love has to start somewhere why not here.

So instead of "freedom of speach" it should be "FREEDOM OF HATE"? Can someone plesa explain, I am from out fo the states and I just don't understand the double facedness of it all. You have hate crimes yet you can openly hate????? How is this?????

ok there are so many different views on this but there are two bigs one that stand out to me. one the KKK "wants" to start helping the community. ok all find and good but why now? they have hindered communities set them on fire and terroized citzens. are they trying to become a white rights group? if so they need to make that known, not sure if that will make a difference. two. i am hispanic. i dont think there is anything wrong with white pride brown pride or black pride. but it is wrong if while showing that pride you down other races. there is a right and wrong way of doing eveything. people just need to remember that.

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